Political gestures. 1973. That Native American Brando sent to collect for “The Godfather.” 1978. Best Supporting Vanessa Redgrave drew gasps by announcing she “wasn’t intimidated by a small bunch of Zionist hoodlums.”

And best wacko? In 1999, “Life Is Beautiful’s” Roberto Benigni, who went bonkers babbling “I want to lie down in the firmament making love to everybody.”

And greatest effort to look greatest? Renée Zellweger cleansed her face with Japanese citrus fruit Yuzu followed by Brazilian tangerine oil followed by Indian lotus oil followed by her skin buffed and vacuumed with a diamond-equipped device followed by pads attached to electric charges to give her face a pink glow.

Mate search

MARCH brings “Marry Smart: Advice for Finding ‘The One.’ ” Publisher, Gallery Books. Agent, Jane Dystel. In refined literary lingo, author Susan Patton says: Shove a job. Get a guy. Building a career 10 years after college, come time you’re scratching for a husband you’re 30, and young chicks already grabbed those hot roosters. “Educated men can prefer younger, less challenging women.

“Look early. Start soon. Stop wasting time dating bad boys and married men. But don’t give it away. Intimacy without commitment? Men won’t buy the cow if the milk is free.”

This lady praised a snakeskin purse an acquaintance gave her. Replied the friend listening: “Nice to hear. Especially since I’m the one who originally bought it for her.”